Understanding Circulation and Breathing Flashcards
at what partial pressure of O2 is respiratory failure established?
below 8 kPa O2 (60mmHg)
at resting rate, what is the percentage of oxygen in blood?
98%,
hyperventilation increases to 100%
what is pulmonary embolism
a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries
what is the common management for type 1 respiratory failure?
oxygen treatment
(bcas main problem is hypoxaemia not hypercapnia
What are the features of type 1 respiratory failure?
- low pO2
- low pCO2
- HIGH A-a gradient
- pH normal or alkalotic
- HCO3- IS normal
Features of type 2 respiratory failure?
- low pO2
- high pCO2
- normal or high A-a gradient
- HCO3- is normal
- pH is normal or acidotic
chronic respiratory failure type 1 : is the bicarb high, normal or low?
normal, since chronic type 1 has a normal CO2 so no need to compensate
is bicarb, low, normal or high in chronic type 2 resp. failure?
high because pCO2 is high so compensation needed
what are pH levels like in chronic type 2 failure?
Normal (or acidotic if very unwell), because the high bicarb compensates for the high pCO2 levels (overtime)
In chronic type 1 failure, is pH normal, high or low?
Normal (rarely it is alkalotic): because pCO2 levels in type 1 are not high
define pulmonary oedema
the build of fluid in the tissues and airspaces of lungs
what is the ventilation like in the apex of lungs
high O2 and low CO2
what is the V/Q ratio like at the top of lungs and why?
high V/Q ratio
- ventilation is high at the top (lots of o2 diffuses)
-but perfusion is low because of gravity
:. high ratio
what is the body’s response to high V/Q ratio?
bronchi constrict
- bcas high V/Q means lots of ventilation but little perfusion
- :. lots of deadspace (lack of bloodflow)
- so body reduces the amount of air getting to those areas
A low V/Q ratio produces what kind of physiological response?
constrict blood vessels
- bcas many shunts (lack of alveoli)
- so less blood needed in that area
